Split|Screen: Mario Kart 8

For more than 20 years, the Mario Kart franchise has had a place on every gamer's shelf. But does the latest entry from the Mushroom Kingdom do the franchise justice? Or does it just put another nail in the Wii U's coffin?

We all have wonderful memories of Mario Kart—zipping around the track collecting coins, dodging obstacles, suffering the agony of the blue turtle shell, and laughing as you throw curses at your cartoon opponents. That's the magic the Nintendo team has always created. But with the new gaming systems from Sony and Microsoft pumping out pure adrenaline games like Titanfall and Battlefield 4, is Mario Kart 8 even relevant?

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Most definitely. Mario Kart 8 is the reason to own a Wii U. It's my favorite of the series and the best racing game Nintendo has ever made.

Like a quick lap through the Mushroom Kingdom, I'll keep this review short. If you've ever played any version in the Mario Kart series, expect something similar but in spectacularly high definition. Nintendo pushed the system to its limit, maximizing every pixel on screen.

Mario Kart 8 starts by picking your driver, there are 30 characters (after you unlock a few) to choose from. Next is tricking out a shiny new ride. The idea is to try to create the perfect balance of speed and handling. Then it's on to selecting one of 32 tracks—16 new tracks and 16 redesigned tracks from earlier entries. When the race begins, You know what to do: Put pedal to the metal, avoid hurtling turtle shells, and fly past your rivals.

The new tracks have a familiar feel—you're driving, gliding, riding, and going underwater. Where the game improves its mechanics is in the anti-gravity section. This turns your ride into a hover-car allowing you to break one or two laws of physics. While in hover mode, try ramming into another player to activate the new mechanic called spin boosting. You both get the boost in speed, but hopefully your opponent spins out of control. Although it's fun to spin boost your way through other players, it takes some practice. I constantly fell victim to spinning out. My other tip is be sure to use the Wii U's thumbstick. The D-pad is much more capable at traversing those tight corners without slowing down.

Bottom Line

The same excitement you had for Super Mario Kart on the SNES is preserved in this new installment. Mario Kart 8 may not be enough to save the Nintendo Wii U, but it shows that the underdog console still has a lot to offer (including the heavily anticipated Super Smash Bros. Wii U, in which the beloved characters will go brawling once again). The game is beautiful, highly addictive, and suited for everyone— kids, teens, and hardcore gamers. The Wii U has had more than a rocky start, but maybe Mario Kart 8 is evidence of a company finding its footing.